Chicago trials tantalizingly similar

Conspiracy, racketeering, usurious payment fees and a confederacy of sordid business wise-guys. No, we are not talking here about Conrad Black and his merry gang of
alleged corporate hoodlums, although some similarities are tantalizing.

CHICAGO–Conspiracy, racketeering, usurious payment fees and a confederacy of sordid business wise-guys.

No, we are not talking here about Conrad Black and his merry gang of alleged corporate hoodlums, although some similarities are tantalizing. Black et al haven't been charged with whacking associates, rivals and plea-copping rats.

There are boardroom hit men and there are gangland hit men, although both wear bespoke Italian suits.

This other trial is 13 floors above, in a massive courtroom, the proceedings that began yesterday truly riveting in the Windy City.

It's known as the Family Secrets Mob trial and the defendants, all purportedly members of the Chicago Outfit – as the local Mafia crime families are called – have names such as Joey "The Clown" Lombardo, Paulie "The Indian" Schiro and Jimmy "Little Jimmy" Marcello. Even one of the defence attorneys goes by Joe "The Shark" Lopez.

Lopez represents Frank Calabrese Sr., an alleged loan shark accused in 13 of the 18 murders – some dating back decades – that have brought these men before a jury. (One defendant, a former Chicago cop alleged to be on The Outfit's payroll, has not been indicted for killing.)

Think Black is steamed about lifelong partner David Radler turning government stoolie? The main informants against Calabrese are Frank Calabrese Jr., his son, and Nicholas Calabrese, his brother. Of course, Calabrese pater is alleged to have ordered a hit on his kid, hence the latter's co-operation with the FBI.

In past cases, witnesses against some of these defendants and their colleagues have been known to turn up dead. On Wednesday, a fake bomb was discovered outside the home owned by Calabrese's other son.

Such is concern for juror protection that none were identified by name, even during the selection process. Little wonder that seven alternates were added.

During opening statements – while lawyers for the Hollinger executives were continuing their closing submissions downstairs – none of these jurors looked happy to be there as each accused was instructed to say hello. "Hello!" they chirped.

You may not have heard of The Outfit or recognize the names of the accused. But chances are you will know of their purported handiwork, some of it.

Among those knocked off, in 1986, were the Spilotro brothers, themselves Mafia assassins. Martin Scorsese told their story in the movie Casino,one of them played by Joe Pesci. The film got some details wrong – the brothers were beaten to death a week before their bodies were found in an Indiana cornfield.

"There are five defendants on trial," lead prosecutor John J. Scully told the jury. "Four of the men committed brutal crimes on behalf of the Chicago Outfit.

"This is not The Sopranos. This is not The Godfather. This case is about real people and real victims. This organization is corrupt, it is violent, it is without honour."

Lombardo, portrayed as a Mob boss with his own crew – the prosecution helpfully provided a hierarchical model for The Outfit plus a handy glossary to explain job descriptions – was formerly accused of murdering a federal witness in front of the man's wife and 4-year-old child. That case was dropped.

Down in the trial involving Canadian defendants, where lawyers have jeered at the flimsy merits of the government's cause, Peter Atkinson's attorney was expounding on his client's innocence.

"The truth is, there was no crime."

Upstairs, Lopez reminded – in that lawyerly condescension way – about the presumption of innocence, even for infamous mobsters.

"There should be a little voice in the back of your head saying: They're innocent, they're innocent, they're innocent, they're innocent. Because that's what the presumption is supposed to be."

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